The Last Environment, Inc.’s international programs and trainings are a series of outdoor educational travel experiences on a variety of global environmental change topics presented each year by TLE staff, and co-facilitated by various partners such as the NASA, Clean Air- Cool Planet, Sea Grant, The Glacier Institute, The Virgin Islands Environmental Research Station, The Otonga Foundation, and others. Using an environmental systems approach, these programs enable participants to explore environmental change through exploration, instruction, and hands-on involvement in current environmental problems. TLE programs take place at various lodgings and field camps across the United States and abroad.
PROGRAM DATES
The US Virgin Islands: Changing Coral Reef Environments
July 1st - July 8th, 2012
Program Costs $1,650
plus airfare/ground transportation
Come join The Last Environment director, Zach Smith, to explore the coral reef environments of the US Virgin Islands National Park on St. John.This program emphasizes daily, active interaction with marine and terrestrial environments. We’ll immerse ourselves in the biodiversity of tropical ecosystems and examine their place as one component of a diverse and dynamic global Earth system. Our field program will provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful, precious, and biodiverse marine locations on the planet.
Numerous research programs have taken place in these areas, starting with the Tektite Research program in 1969 to study and monitor ecosystems, though more work is always needed. Our field sites will be in Great and Little Lameshure Bays at 18o 17’ 25” North/64o 43’ 17” West.
Primary study topics:
1. Coral reef environments - biodiversity
2. Climate change and environmental effects
3. The scientific process- data gathering and recording
4. Photo/video journalling
5. Geologic and cultural history of the US VI
6. History and the environment in literature
7. Human health and safety
US VI Facilities and Resources
Students will stay at the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station and will enjoy family-style meals (Very limited special-food requirements can be accommodated.). The station will be our base as we prepare for and debrief our daily programs: snorkeling, forest hikes, petroglyph viewing, and cataloging marine and terrestrial flora and fauna.
The resource station is an approximately 2-hour van ride from a fully modern hospital inCharlotte Amalie. Available vessel or air transport is available for more immediate care. On-site emergency medical care is available through TLE's Zach Smith (Wilderness First Aid trained) and station safety personnel.
Getting There
Travel to St Thomas and then travel to the US Virgin Islands research station on ST John
Fly to St Thomas, US VI. We do not have deals with any airlines but suggest you consult your travel agent or an on-line company such as Orbitz for the least expensive carrier. Prices differ greatly by day and time. Holidays can be very busy and flights might book quickly so book as early as possible. (Note: When booking your flights, you’ll need to schedule your return flight for sometime after 2 p.m. to allow for travel back to St. Thomas and normal airport wait time.)
A typical arrival time in St Thomas from the US is around noon. It will take you another 3+ hours from the airport to get to St John and the US VI research station.
We also recommend purchasing flight insurance, in case, for any reason, the trip is canceled or you cannot attend.
No passports are required for US Virgin Islands travel.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requiring passports doesn’t affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin islands can continue to use established forms of identification, such as birth certificates and government-issued photo ID, to board flights and for entry. Vaccinations are not required.
The following are usually accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship:
NOTE: A Voter's registration card is NOT valid proof of U.S. Citizenship.
Entry requirements for all others are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination.
Airport Transportation
All student groups will be met at the airport. For all other please see below.
There is a taxi booth set up outside the airport after you claim bags. Or you can go directly to the street and negotiate for a taxi. The fare from the airport in the Red Hook ferry is $15.00. Or you can take the ferry out of Amalie to St John. Either way it takes about the same length of time to get to St John, Cruz Bay. The land ride lets you see a bit of St Thomas but traffic can be bad on some days at some times.
Then you will need to catch the ferry to St John, on the half hour. See ferry schedulehttp://www.usvi.net/usvi/ferry.htm The ferry is ~$8.00 and $1.00 per bag. This is a 20-minute ride with fantastic views of the islands.
In Cruz Bay, St John you will be met by Hamilton’s taxi service. We leave Cruz bay at 4:30 pm so do not be late and calculate your time from the airport to take at least 2 hours. Hamilton is the ONLY driver on St John to get you to the research station, unless you rent a jeep--which is a waste of money since it will sit for idle for a week.
Money
US VI uses the US dollar. Once you arrive in Cruz Bay, after 4 pm on the first day of our program, your only expenses may be some drinks, snacks, or any souvenirs that you buy. All your meals, lodging, and transportation will be covered by The Last Environment, Inc. The US VI has a number of wonderful artisan crafts that you may want to purchase during your trip.
Safety
The US VI are relatively very safe but DO NOT walk around with exposed purses, cameras, lots of money, etc.
Please check the US Department of State travel sitehttp://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html for information about safety and travel considerations.
Our recommendation is to leave your passports (if you carry one) in your hotel security while you are touring before or after the program. You should carry a laminated color copy of your passport as identification. If you are stopped you can use your copy and or persuade police to return to your hotel to view the original. DO NOT lose your passport or ID. It is a bit of a hassle to get a new passport reissued at the Embassy without a copy, and might take days. Once we start our program you will be able to carry both passport and the copy THAT YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU!
Health
Check the United States Virgin Islands Department of Health(http://www.healthvi.org/topics/categories/travelers.html) for appropriate/required vaccinations and medications.
St. Thomas is basically at 0 ‘ elevation but it is hot and humid and largely perched on hillsides and everything requires walking up and down hill. Our research station is 100 yards from the beach. We will be in the water a couple times each day snorkeling. If you have/had any altitude sickness, trouble breathing, or are out of shape, this may not be a good trip for you. Consult with your doctor and notify trip leaders.
The diversity of critters and plants in the forest and the ocean is very great and the chance of insect/ant stings-bites and interaction with skin irritants is high. Of all the supplies you should bring it should include anti-itch cream. This and insect repellent can be purchased in St John but bring your own. Also bring bug net clothing or bug repellent clothing if you are concerned or especially susceptible. I have rarely ever encountered mosquitoes and gnats in the summer in the US VI but sand fleas and other critters may be plentiful.
During our program we will not be SCUBA diving but you are welcome to contact Blue lagoon in St John for personal forays underwater before or after our program. Dives are generally run through Cruz Bay Water Sports http://www.divestjohn.com/scuba-diving for a 2-tank dive, with boat and dive master.